Folk signs for October 11: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of Saturday, October 11, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for October 11, 2025
Kharitonov Day was celebrated in Russia on October 11. In the popular consciousness, he was shrouded in a mystical fear of evil spirits, which was believed to be especially active on this day and could harm a person. At dusk, our ancestors tried not to leave their homes, and also avoided people with black eyes, believing that they could cause damage.
Young couples planning to get married went to the village witches and presented them with treats so that they would not upset the wedding. They didn't visit unless they really needed to, and they didn't invite anyone to their place. Dreams were given special importance. They were considered a sign foreshadowing upcoming events. Therefore, they tried to remember and interpret dreams.
The behavior of the animals was used to determine the weather conditions in the coming months. The people believed that the animal was well aware of the upcoming weather changes. These signs helped to prepare in advance for the onset of cold weather. So, if a cat licks its paws at the stove for a long time, then they knew that warm and clear weather was ahead. And if a dog howls at the moon, they were preparing for a cold snap.
Other signs of the day:
- In the morning, the fog spreads over the ground — the winter will be mild and snowy.;
- the sky is covered with gray clouds in the morning — for a long and cold winter;
- the wind increases in the evening — a lot of snow is expected from December to February;
- the chickens are perched and behaving quietly — to a sudden change in the weather;
- crows sit in a bunch and almost do not fly — the first frosts will hit soon.;
- hares have not yet changed their gray fur to white — winter will be late.
- the leaves are falling backside up — next autumn will be rich in harvest.
What not to do on October 11th
Because of the notoriety of Kharitonov's day, our ancestors adhered to strict prohibitions so as not to bring trouble. The people said: "Khariton is a damage in the hut," believing that any mistake can lead to misfortune. On this day, they were afraid to pick and eat wild berries. It was believed that the devil himself had marked them with his saliva, and those who tasted them risked becoming seriously ill or not living to winter at all.
What else can not be done on October 11:
- to let strangers and animals into the house — evil spirits can enter the dwelling in their guise.;
- Starting new important things is bound to fail.;
- rearrange furniture — otherwise you can accidentally "disturb" the dark forces.;
- Cutting your hair is believed to "shorten" your life on this day.;
- to borrow money or valuables, it is unlikely to be possible to return them.;
- leaving empty dishes on the table promises poverty and hardship.;
- complaining about your fate or your life — complaining can "scare away" luck and cause even bigger problems.
What is the church holiday on October 11th?
On October 11, Orthodox Christians remember two saints — the Holy Martyr Khariton the Confessor and the Holy Martyr, Grand Duchess Elisaveta Feodorovna, whose destinies have been separated for centuries, but united by the power of faith. Both martyrs suffered during the persecution of the Church, becoming symbols of courage and devotion to Christian teaching.
Khariton the Confessor lived at the turn of the III–IV centuries in Asia Minor. During the years of oppression of Christians under Emperor Aurelian, he openly professed his faith, for which he was captured and tortured. According to his life, the saint miraculously escaped after the death of his persecutor and devoted his life to monastic asceticism in Palestine. It was there that he founded three famous monasteries: the Faran Lavra, the Jericho and Sukkiy monasteries, which became the centers of spiritual life in the region.
The Venerable Martyr Elisaveta Feodorovna is one of the most revered saints of modern times. A German princess by birth, she married Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and fell in love with Russia with all her soul. After the tragic death of her husband, she devoted herself entirely to serving God and people. The Princess founded the Marfo-Mariinsky Monastery of Mercy in Moscow, and during the First World War, medical trains for the front were formed under her leadership. In 1992, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized her as the Holy New Martyrs of Russia.
Prayers on October 11th
On the days of commemoration of the saints, believers turn to them with prayers, finding in their lives an example to follow and hope for intercession. Khariton the Confessor is asked for protection from spiritual and physical ailments, strengthening of faith, gaining spiritual peace and perseverance. In front of the image of Elizabeth Feodorovna, they pray for healing from serious ailments, including cancer and difficult childbirth.
Prayer to Khariton the Confessor
"Oh, holy head, Venerable Father, Most Blessed Abba Kharitone! Do not forget your poor ones to the end, but always remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember thy flock, which thou hast saved, and do not forget to visit thy children. Pray for us, holy Father, for your spiritual children, for you have boldness to the Heavenly King, do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us, who are unworthy, who honor you with faith and love. Remember us at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. <...> Do not depart from us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy, and all the charms of demons, and the machinations of the devil, our good shepherd. Because we truly live after death, we fall down to you and pray to you: pray to Almighty God for us, for the benefit of our souls, and grant us time to repent, so that we may pass from earth to heaven unchallenged, from bitter ordeals, demons, aerial princes, and from eternal torment, and may we be delivered from the Heavenly Kingdom May we be heirs with all the righteous who have always pleased our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor and worship belong, with His Beginningless Father and with His All-holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer to Grand Duchess Elizabeth
"Oh, Grand Duchess, Holy Martyr Elisaveta, Russian praise, the most glorious decoration of the city of Moscow, and sacred property of the Holy Land! Having acquired faith, hope, and love in the days of your life, You have shone brightly with mercy to the suffering. By the patience of sorrows and temptations, having shown the image of humility to your neighbors, you have crowned your life with exile and suffering, and now you are in the Kingdom of heaven. For this reason, we beseech you, holy passion-bearer, through your prayers grant us a humble and penitent heart, unceasing mercy, sacrificial service to others, unshakeable patience, unflagging courage in tribulation and circumstances, and in the terrible hour of death, firm hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom befits all glory, honor, and worship with His Beginningless Father, and by His Most Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Savvati Solovetsky.
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